Overview
- Barry J. Pollack formally appeared as Nicolás Maduro’s lead counsel in the SDNY case, while Mark Donnelly represents Cilia Flores.
- Pollack told the court he will challenge the legality of Maduro’s capture as a “military abduction” and raise sovereign‑immunity arguments.
- Judge Alvin Hellerstein is presiding over charges that include narco‑terrorism, cocaine‑importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
- Maduro and Flores remain detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center; Flores reported rib injuries and requested medical evaluation, and both requested consular access.
- The superseding indictment alleges a decades‑long scheme facilitating cocaine shipments through logistical support and misuse of diplomatic passports, with extensive pretrial motions expected.